Brussels, 01/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - The "General Affairs" Council of Monday 4 December will essentially be devoted to its work preparing the Summit of Nice, especially for the many aspects not relating to institutional reform: defence policy (Esdp), social affairs, innovation, maritime security, the environment, sport, services of a general interest. Ministers will then discuss the following issues:
- Enlargement. The Council is proposing adopting "Conclusions" setting and fleshing out those adopted on 20 November, with the aim of confirming the positive political signal to candidate countries. Four points were discussed: a) monitoring implementation of undertakings made by the candidates; b) treatment (on a case by case basis) of requested transition periods; c) placing aside certain aspects of chapters that have to a large extent been closed (in view of later seeking comprehensive agreements); b) the "road maps" (timetable for the different chapters to be negotiated) proposed by the Commission in its strategy document.
- Turkey. The Council will turn to planned "partnership for accession", that - since the Commission proposed it - has led to quite strong Turkish reactions (notably regarding the aspect relating to Cyprus) and a controversial stance by the European Parliament. Ministers will devote lunch to this issue. It does not seem likely that they will reach final decisions, be it over the partnership itself or the framework-regulation setting down the principle, priorities, intermediary goals and conditions of the partnership. The European Parliament has, moreover, still to vote on this framework-regulation.
- Statute of MEPs. The Council will hear a report by Mr. Moscovici on his latest contacts with Parliament representatives on the most controversial aspects of this statute: common level of pay, refunding of expenses, pension scheme, tax. The conclusion will doubtless be that discussions must continue.
The Dutch delegation intends raising the situation in the Molucca Islands and the Portuguese delegation that of East Timor (notably the question of humanitarian aid and the absence of a UN representative).
